The row has broken out over plans for a mid-terrace property in Ayresome Park Road in Middlesbrough to be used as a bail house - the third in the town.

And it has emerged that this sort of hostel could be planned for any street without residents even being told.

People living in the Linthorpe road claim plans for the “hostel” have been conducted in secret, and have raised fears that it will devalue their homes and bring trouble to the area.

The property will become a bail house - or “move-on property” - under a Ministry of Justice project to home those either on bail or on early release schemes.

The houses are run by property management firm ClearSprings which has a Government contract to provide 150 hostels across England and Wales.

It provides the homes as any other private landlord provides accommodation and therefore does not have to go through planning procedures. However, local authorities do need to be informed.

Furious Park ward councillor Frances McIntyre said: “We have been completely in the dark over this until now.

“We are not going to lie down. I will be requesting a meeting in the community centre with the local residents and ClearSprings.

“I don’t know how, why or who has suggested such a property but we simply have to fight it.”

According to Ministry of Justice guidelines, those accused of sexual offences, arson and those who pose a threat to staff or other residents are not housed in these properties.

But angry residents say a terraced house in a quiet street where lots of young children play is not the place for alleged offenders to be placed.

William Hogg, 67, a retired joiner, who has lived in the street for more than 30 years and is next-door-but-one from the proposed hostel, said instead offenders should be “rounded up and put on the Isle of Mull”.

“This is a disgrace,” he said. “This country is going to rack and ruin. They are just riding roughshod over us.”

Mary Pierre, 77, has lived in the street for more than 40 years but has recently put her property up for sale.

“I have sympathy, I do, but you don’t want it on your doorstep. I am trying to sell this. What am I going to do now?”

A mum-of-two from a neighbouring property, who asked not to be named, said: “This is the first I have heard of it. It’s come as a total surprise to me. It seems like they are trying to do it secretly.

“I have two small children. I know of the phrase ‘not in my back yard’ but there are far more appropriate places.”

Concerned local MPs and councillors are now asking for more transparency from the company.

Middlesbrough MP Sir Stuart Bell said: “We are very keen to hear the views of residents which we shall pass on to the minister.

“These matters are of some concern to residents and their concerns must be dealt with.”

Barry Coppinger, Middlesbrough Council’s executive councillor for community protection, said: “This is not a council project and the council has no powers with regard to the ClearSprings operation.

“It is absolutely crucial to the success of the project that there is meaningful consultation with local councillors and local residents in the immediate vicinity of the involved property.

“Residents and councillors will be monitoring the situation carefully and raising concerns where necessary.”

ClearSprings declined to comment saying it was a matter for the Ministry of Justice.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “ClearSprings is under contract to the Government to provide rented accommodation to those leaving prison who do not have their own home.

“As ClearSprings is a landlord like any other, the firm does not need to consult with members of the public before renting out a private property.

“However, the terms of their contract with the Government demand that they fully consult the police and local authorities about the location of the properties they rent.

“In the wake of concerns expressed by some local authorities, directly to Government, earlier this year, the Government has reminded ClearSprings of the importance of fulfilling this obligation.

“The Government is now confident that ClearSprings is meeting its obligations to consult.”

In June ClearSprings opened another bail house in Oxford Road, in Linthorpe, to much consternation and has a third property in Princes Road in Gresham.

Oxford Road resident Tony Simpson, who campaigned against the opening of the Linthorpe property, admitted there had been no trouble in the first two months of the bail house being there but said more “undesirables” were now frequenting the street.

“I do try to keep an eye on them and keep records of comings and goings,” he said. “You always worry about what trouble it might bring to the street.”

Residents in the “move on properties” are asked to pay rent and make a contribution towards utilities.

Immediate neighbours are provided with a 24-hour, seven days a week contact telephone number so they can report any concerns.

The Minister for Justice, David Hanson MP, has declared there is ongoing contact with police and probation officers to monitor the impact of the three houses.

A public meeting will take place at the Linthorpe Community Centre in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, on Tuesday, August 26, from 7pm.

Representatives from ClearSprings have been invited to attend.

Scheme is for low-risk offenders, says Ministry

IN June 2007 the Ministry of Justice announced the new bail accommodation and support service.

Introduced by the National Offender Management Service, the scheme provides accommodation for low risk, adult defendants in custody who are unable to provide a bail address or who could not be bailed without support.

The accommodation is also available to those offenders who could be released on Home Detention Curfew, but are not due to the lack of suitable accommodation.

The properties are intended to be in community settings with up to four people of the same gender sharing.

Support is provided by trained staff who give three one-hour contact sessions in the first week of occupancy and at least one hour a week thereafter.

The service is provided by ClearSprings.

The Ministry said it was likely that a typical stay would last seven weeks but that could be extended where necessary.

For those released on the Home Detention Curfew the average stay would be 11 weeks.